The Canadian government will no longer participate in bombing raids against the Islamic State jihadist group under its newly elected prime minister, Justin Trudeau.
In an interview with reporters in Ottawa earlier last week, Trudeau shared his first telephone conversation with US President Barack Obama, where the two leaders discussed the campaign against the ISIS militants in the Middle East.
Trudeau said he informed Obama that he intends to make good on his election campaign promise that he will withdraw the CF-18 fighter jets earlier deployed by Canada that have been used in the bombing mission against the ISIS.
"I committed that we would continue to engage in a responsible way that understands how important Canada has a role to play in the fight against ISIL (Islamic State), but he (Barack Obama) understands the commitments I've made around ending the combat mission," Canada's new leader-in-waiting said, as quoted by BBC.
Trudeau nevertheless pledged to the American leader that Canada will retain its military trainers in northern Iraq.
He also reiterated to Obama Canada's pledge to take in 25,000 Syrian refugees by the end of the year.
Trudeau's moves in relation to the campaign against the ISIS are essentially reversals of the actions made by his predecessor, outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
In November 2014, under Harper's administration, Canada started its bombing raids in Iraq targeting the Islamic extremist group. The raids were expanded to Syria in April this year.
Harper's government took a hard line on the ISIS after a self-radicalised Muslim convert with troubled past and history of mental illness attacked and killed a Canadian corporal guarding the National War Memorial in Ottawa in October last year. After killing the Canadian soldier, the Muslim assailant entered a parliament building where members of the Canadian Parliament were attending caucuses. He was shot dead by parliament security personnel during the ensuing shootout.
Aside from foreign policy, Trudeau and Obama also had lighter moments during their first phone conversation. The incoming Canadian leader "teased me about my lack of grey hair, but said I'd probably get some quite soon," Obama said.
